DEPTFORD TWP. — A veteran of the township police force for nearly 18 years has been promoted from lieutenant to captain, Chief Daniel Murphy announced.

Michael Taylor was given the oath of office Wednesday by township Mayor Paul Medany before family, friends and fellow officers.

Capt. Taylor was first hired in December 1995 and was assigned to the patrol division when he graduated from the Camden County Police Academy. In June 2007, he was promoted to traffic unit sergeant within the department’s special operations division.

In August 2010, Taylor was promoted to lieutenant and began serving as patrol division commander.

He’s served as operations bureau commander since being assigned acting captain in October 2012.